The Freedom Tree

Allegorical fables, stories and metaphors on life — a blueprint to help you move forward and up in the world.

The Freedom Tree explores something that has occupied me throughout my working life:

What enables people to become more capable, responsible and free?

Through stories, fables, metaphors, quotations and personal reflection, the book explores the choices we make, the responsibility we take and the way we respond to the circumstances life puts in front of us.

Its central idea is simple.

We cannot control everything that happens around us.

But we can develop our capacity to decide what we do next.

That journey — towards greater responsibility, independence and freedom — has subsequently become an important part of my wider work on Building Human Capability.

WHAT READERS HAVE SAID

“I’ve read a good number of personal development books, but this is certainly the most beautifully written and inspiring book I’ve ever read.”

Howard

“Just finished your book. Loved it”

Nic

“I love this book. It is so beautiful too.”

Jenny

“I have finished reading your book and enjoyed it immensely – in fact I have put it on my son’s bed for him to read to support him in a relationship dilemma he is experiencing now.”

Ros

“This book is amazing… I have to say it’s the best book I’ve ever read.”

James

“I want to say that having read it, it is so inspirational, honest, real, touches the heart and is unput-downable.” 

Karen

“I can only remember once before in my life when a book has had such a immediate impact on me. I cannot wait to share its message with so many people who mean everything to me.

The book speaks to me of seasons. I felt as if I was traveling in time both past, present and future while I was reading it. It made me remember so many things. It made me aware of incidents I have long forgotten or chosen to hide. It allowed me to bring everything I needed to see up close in a friendly, caring, compassionate and trusting way. I thank you for that. Somehow what you wrote spoke to me on such a deep level. Your stories made sense to me, your quotes and poetry moved me. I read the poem you wrote over and over again and it has given a name to something I had been unable to define.

I will treasure this book Neil and it will stay with me and move with me wherever I go. I find such peace in quietly picking it up and reading bits of it repeatedly.

Thank you for writing such an extraordinary book. I am so moved and touched by your words.”

Suki

This book is a ‘Limited Edition’. It is only available directly from us. Get in touch to get your copy…

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES

Looking back, The Freedom Tree contains some of the early thinking that has continued to develop through my work with individuals, leaders and teams.

Responsibility.

Independence.

Capability.

Freedom.

Different expressions of the same underlying question:

What enables a human being to move forward and up in the world?

You can’t download capability.™

Originally published 26 June 2022. Updated August 2026.